Jan. 27, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - With 15 players suiting up for various teams in the National Football League, UCF led all other Conference USA schools in 2008. Today, we look at former place kicker Matt Prater.
After the 2006 NFL Draft, Prater was signed as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2006 by the Detroit Lions, but would eventually lose out to long-time veteran Jason Hanson. In 2007, the former Knight appeared in two games for the Atlanta Falcons, and was later signed by the Denver Broncos to handle kickoff duties for the team in the last two weeks of the season.
In 2008, Prater took over full time kicking duties for the Broncos after long-time kicker Jason Elam signed with the Atlanta Falcons. Prater finished the season connecting on 25-of-34 attempts. In week five against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Prater converted on 3-of-4 attempts, including a 55-yard boot, in the Broncos' 16-13 victory. The strong effort earned Prater the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award.
Prater accounted for 114 points in the 2008 season, making him the 29th different Bronco to achieve a 100-point season. His five 50-yard field goals ranked fourth in the NFL in 2008 and tied for the most by a Bronco in a season in club history. In week four at Kansas City (pictured), Prater connected on two 50+ yard attempts, including a 56-yard kick that ranked him third in the league for the longest field goal of the 2008 season.
Attending UCF from 2002-05, Prater is known around UCF for his rugby-style punts, and booming kickoffs. In his sophomore campaign, Prater led the nation, and broke the school and MAC record, averaging 47.9 yards per punt. In the 2003 season opener, Prater averaged 55.7 yards per punt at Virgina Tech, breaking the school record by more than five yards. In 46 games spanning four years with the Knights, Prater converted 50 of 74 field goal attempts, with a long of 53 yards. His 50 field goals ties him for the school record with Ed O'Brien (1984-87), while his 258 points ranks him fifth all-time in school history.
Tomorrow, we look at former defensive back Travis Fisher of the Detroit Lions.